Lynn reunion, Peterman's start add zest vs. Chargers

Buffalo interim coach now rival; QB takes over for benched Taylor

Associated Press

Published 10:05 pm, Saturday, November 18, 2017

Photo: Adrian Kraus

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FILE-This Nov. 12, 2017, file photo shows Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman (2) throwing from the pocket during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Peterman will make his first NFL start this weekend when the Bills attempt to snap their two-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Chargers. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File) ORG XMIT: NYSH905 less

FILE-This Nov. 12, 2017, file photo shows Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman (2) throwing from the pocket during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in Orchard Park, ... more

Photo: Adrian Kraus

Lynn reunion, Peterman's start add zest vs. Chargers

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Carson, Calif.

Anthony Lynn made his NFL head coaching debut last winter for one game amid the chaos of another lost season for the Buffalo Bills.

Although Lynn speaks warmly of his two seasons in chilly Buffalo, he hasn't thought much about the Bills (5-4) this season before their imminent arrival at StubHub Center to face his Los Angeles Chargers (3-6) on Sunday.

"I interviewed there, and they went a different direction," said Lynn, who spent 2015 as the Bills' running backs coach and most of 2016 as their offensive coordinator. "I didn't think I was the favorite there anyway, because how many times do you hire a guy from the staff when you fire the head coach? It doesn't happen too often. I did appreciate the interview, but I'm where I want to be."

Although the Bills won 15 games over their two seasons, Lynn and head coach Rex Ryan couldn't end a playoff drought currently sitting at 17 years.

Lynn's brief tenure after Ryan's firing included the awkward task of benching Tyrod Taylor for the finale without being able to publicly explain the reasoning of then-GM Doug Whaley and owner Terry Pegula for the move.

More Information

Bills vs. Chargers

When: 4:05 p.m. Sunday

Where: StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.

TV/Radio: Fox-23, WOFX 980 AM, WKAJ 1120 AM, WMML 1230 AM, 97.9 FM

New Bills coach Sean McDermott made the same move earlier this week, benching Taylor in favor of Nathan Peterman. The rookie fifth-round pick will make his first NFL start against the Chargers and their phenomenal pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.

McDermott's Bills are in playoff position with seven games to go, but he's also struggling to figure out how to get the most out of a team with 23 players from last season's team.

"I guess playing Coach Lynn, it won't be weird, because we have bigger things to worry about," said Bills running back LeSean McCoy, who racked up 2,162 yards during Lynn's two seasons. "Winning games, converting on third downs, running the ball, putting numbers up, putting stats up, putting drives together. We have all those things to kind of worry about, some things we're not doing. We've got to find a way to do it."